Flu and Covid vaccines

[Spicykitten]

Has anyone had their flu and/or Covid booster vaccines?

I had my flu vaccine through my GP surgery in October, but I was surprised to find out that they weren’t issuing the Covid booster vaccines too.

Then this month, I received a text message saying that my local hospital were issuing Covid boosters and I could walk in to have mine throughout January, without an appointment.

I’m happy indeed, and had my Covid booster done today.

Congrats! I had the double whammy in November, as I'm old. Very pleased to hear they're making it more widely available.

Are you okay? Mine didn't make me feel ill, as some have previously, but the Covid arm was pretty sore for a few days.

My hospital were offering both to staff, i think lots took up the offer but still lots of staff respiratory illness this week, including me!

I’ve had both (self funded) and have been noticeably more well than in recent winters.

I felt grim overnight after having the two together, very glad I did though after seeing how bad things are this year. 84yo mother sailed through with no side effects whatever.

I paid privately and had both done together. I’m a contractor and don’t get sick pay. I have not been affected by the awful bugs that have hit the rest of the family, though of course that may be coincidence.

I had my two together in November (immunocompromised)
Felt like absolute shit for 24 hours then right as rain, not sure if that was because I had them at the same time.

and I haven't been poorly for months now and didn't catch anything over Christmas like most other people I know!

The uptake of vaccines has been poor, only 65% of some groups have had it, health care staff as low as 25%.

Since having flu as a student and being very ill in bed for a week, all alone in my student house, I have a flu jab every year! I also encourage DH to get one and make sure the DC get one. Flu is a horrible illness. As for Covid, since the free jabs were offered in 2021-2022 I haven't been offered one and so haven't had one. I think I've probably had Covid three times in total (based purely on symptoms) and recovered fine each time, so I'm not really bothered by getting another vaccine as my immune system seems to be coping.

I have the flu vaccine every year. Covid I haven’t had since the first one all those years ago and to this day, I don’t know why I felt pressurised into having it. I have had Covid 4 times and, while I have felt unwell, I have recovered. I honestly didn’t think Covid jabs were still on the go. I don’t think anyone in my circle of friends and colleagues has had it.

I had them both in the autumn.

I had both at the same time,Covid arm was a bit sore for a few days but that was all. I think I had an early night as I was tired.

I had both separately with no issue, which was a surprise as I was expecting to feel awful after the Covid one as I have every other time. Touch wood, I’ve had no illness at all this winter and actually for the whole of 2024 - not sure if last winter’s saw me through the year. Hoping for an equally healthy 2025.

This has really surprised me. Where does the data come from please?

I had both in November. I was still hideously ill over Christmas, but presume I could have been a lot worse without vaccinations.

The BBC.

Had both in October, no reaction to either one. Happy days.

I had both back in October. I can get them both at work (nhs) and because of my asthma.

I know a lot of my colleagues didn't bother this year. I only got a respiratory infection last week yet there have been horrible bugs going round since november time.

I got the double one last year and it made me feel horrendous, never had a reaction to a COVID vaccine before. And to top it off, I was the only one of us who got bloody COVID 😩 (Dh and dc don’t qualify for COVID booster). I didn’t get it this year because I got my usual flu jab via Boots as GP never invited me and I gave up waiting.

I usually get offered flu vaccine as over 50 and family member immunocompromised, but didn't get offered this year, and neither did my immunocompromised son. Had to track down the school nurses catch-up clinic; I always refuse the school programmes as they do nose squirts which he can't have. They sorted out a vaccine for us.

Had both. Got offered a flu vaccine from surgery this year, whilst there cheekily asked about COVID ones (we should pay) and nurse said I have them here, I didn’t want Novo but they were Pfizer, and instead of one going to “wastage” she stuck it in my other arm at the same time.

So a win-win all round. No side effects this year from either.

I had them both together in the autumn. No after effects apart from a sore flu arm. And have had a healthy winter so far... 🤞

We all got both at October half term give or take a week. Entitled because of autism and carer and asthma.

I’m not sure how wildely available they are, but I qualify because I’m severely asthmatic. I’m in my 20s.

Been feeling quite unwell last night and this morning, but I’m starting to perk up more now.

I’ve had both at the same time back in October as I have CKD. I wasn’t ill with it, just felt more tired than normal and had sore arms for a few days